Eve's Seed: Biology, the Sexes, and the Course of History

by Robert S. McElvaine

In this provocative reinterpretation of the human experience, Robert S. McElvaine has broken ranks with his fellow historians and answered the call made by E.O. Wilson in Consilience, that humanistic scholars must begin to draw upon the natural sciences in order to fully understand the human condition. Bridging the gap between evolutionary biology and cultural history, McElvaine has created what he calls a biohistory. He begins with the assertion, by no means accepted by most historians, that history must begin with an understanding of the evolutionary heritage we carried out of the Stone Age, and that the time before writing, usually dismissed by historians as prehistory, saw the development of forces that have shaped the entire course of human history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Science, Feminism, Womens, Sexuality, Biology

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Robert S. McElvaine is Elizabeth Chisholm Professor of Arts and Letters and Chair of the Department of History at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.

Reviews

[Frrobins]

I've been vocal in my criticisms of Freud and privately thought that he suffered from womb envy. So I was interested to learn that in Eve's Seed, the historian Robert McElvaine had actually developed the idea that men suffer from womb envy, or rather envy over the fact that women can do something that they can't. And that to compensate for the insecurity that results over the fact that they can't create life, they degrade women and tell her what she can't do. This was written back in 2001, but given what is happening in Texas in 2021, his ideas make a lot of sense.

McElvaine draws from knowledge of anthropology, mythology and history and makes a convincing case for his ideas. He asserts that a lot of harm has resulted from the idea that men and women are biological opposites. I like his thoughts on how while we are different we are more similar and hardly opposites. But this erroneous belief that we are opposites results in men, who do not have a biological function that gives them purpose in life like women do, defining themselves as the opposite of women (or “notawoman” as McElvaine terms it). To me, this went a long way to explaining the 2016 election (the quote "the greatest danger of all can come from sexually insecure men who reach the top by appealing to the fears of the anxious men in the lower ranks of society" is alarmingly prescient), as well as why some men feel so threatened when women make inroads into traditionally male occupations.

I found the ideas in this book fascinating. It tracked with what I know of anthropology and biology and history and gave me directions on more things to read and some new frameworks to view the world. Unfortunately, the book’s flaw is that it spent too much time driving its point home. Both the first part and end part of the book were tedious, with the middle being absolutely fascinating. I feel this book could have been a bit shorter had more effort been taken to be more concise, and I was relieved to be done with it. Overall its strengths outshine its flaws and I am glad to have read it. Would recommend.

[Bernard English · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Ehrlich says the "two groups this book will appeal to most are men and women." That about says it all. Robert McElvaine explains the post-Neolithic ten thousand year-old war between men and women. The earliest history focuses much on the the first agricultural revolution, ancient religions, and myths. Later the focus is on the Christian fathers and theology (why not mothers is part of the story), and finally in the modern era he shifts to politics, music, and slang (the word "fuck" is explained in some detail). McElvaine also recounts how some presidents' biographical details were intertwined with foreign wars. There are many shocking reinterpretations of historical events throughout the book. However, the most relevant for us nowadays is, I suppose, the possibility of wars not being avoided in part due to male displays of machismo. He goes into some titillating and some graphic details on this score. Although the title does have "biology" in it, I'd say most of the text deals with history; there is just enough biology to make sense of his overall argument but not much more. Readers will certainly have to rethink much of ancient, biblical and military history. That's reason enough to read it.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Eve's Seed" is an apt title for this work. It posits the quite likely notion that women invented horticulture and agriculture probably by noticing seeds fell to the ground and produced new plants. With the development of agriculture and the ability to produce food without hunting men were at a loss as to what to do. Consequently they took over what the women were doing and turned women in producers of more workers rather than providers of food. Using the myths found in many cultures the author points out the analogy of males taking over agriculture and subordinating women by changing from their supreme beings from a female creator to a male creator. Our languages developed in such a was as to make males predominant leaders and exclude females. Many of our words have a sexual basis subtly saying man should always be on top.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry at some points, a little repeatitive in others. Yet, I am extremely happy I read this. Very interesting discussion about Gensis and Ekkidu among other things.

[Leslie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feminist re-vision of history, and why women are treated the way they are.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I took exception to Robert McElvaine's reiterated claim that there's never been a matriarchal society, especially on the heels of this passage which in my mind is akin to the limitlessness of space.

A major problem with historical interpretation is that historians have usually spoken of the time a few centuries before 3000 B.C.E. when writing was invented as the "dawn of history," and then proceeded to act as if it were also the dawn of human existence. Most textbooks in world or Western civilization, for example, devote a page or so to the hundreds of thousands of years of the Paleolithic Age and perhaps three or four pages to the Neolithic, which itself was as long as all of subsequent history.

I'm sure as a Ph.D. Mr McElaine is a million times more knowledgeable than myself, but I would challenge him to read the Alphabet Vs. the Goddess by Leonard Shlain who has a completely different opinion about the origins of the suppression of women and the rise of the patriarchy.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was thrilled to win this book and it took me a really long time to read it. It was good but at times long-winded and more like reading a history or a biology book. This is why it took so long to read and I had a really hard time getting into it. It covers the differences of the sexes from Adam and Eve all the way to present day society. I don't think I would have gone out and bought this book, still an interesting read.

[Shad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! He takes on a task vastly beyond him, but what he achieves is worth the read!
I especially loved the part about language: (learning how) SO MUCH of our language is built around degrading women and womanhood.

It's size is a bit intimidating, but you can skip sections pretty easily. At all interested in gender studies? READ THIS BOOK PLZ =)

[Mazola1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ambitious book with big ideas. I'm not sure he's right, but his thoughts are intiguing -- part science, part philosophy, part literary criticism. It brings a lot of things together in a new way. Parts are redundant, and he makes his points over and over, but all in all it was a good read.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great thinking exercise about a possible explanation for why men have treated women so subordinately at least for the past 10,000 years (with the advent of agriculture). Who knows how true are McElvaine's speculations but they have stuck with me for a long time to CONSIDER.

[William Thistle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read; fantastic summary of feminist criticism

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Certainly had a interetsing take on common events that seem to be set in stone in many people's minds. Was worth the read and really made you think.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites....Definitely delves into the Ancient Goddess :D You can see the progression and patriarchal influence throughout the ages as well.